What do you think?
Rate this book
Too Hard to Handle #1
Texas Lily
Gently raised and badly treated, Lily Porter married Jim Brown without love to have a father for her child. She tried to be a good wife to the rancher as he carved out a cattle kingdom. But now her husband was gone. She was a woman alone, with a child to raise and a ranch to run, in a land aflame with violence and ripe for rebellion, where women were expected to be seen and not heard. Lily needed a man to stand up for her and her land.
The man she chose was just called Cade, part Apache, part Mexican, proud and reckless. He had a past and a secret he would not reveal, but he possessed a power and passion that commanded all in his path. Lily willingly joined with him in a struggle against treachery and terror—and in a love she would risk anything not to lose.
The man she chose was just called Cade, part Apache, part Mexican, proud and reckless. He had a past and a secret he would not reveal, but he possessed a power and passion that commanded all in his path. Lily willingly joined with him in a struggle against treachery and terror—and in a love she would risk anything not to lose.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 1994
661 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Rice
160 books515 followersWith several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice writes emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances which have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards.
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 10, 2012
Great story line. The characters were great mix. Loved all the relationships and how everyone came together. Would read it again in a heart beat.
July 24, 2012
I haven't finished this yet but I am going to share my thoughts while they are still fresh in my mind. I am glad this was a freebie. The hero in this book is the kind of hero I dislike. He is a man and just throws his weight around and demands everyone do as he say. He doesn't talk to or listen to the woman he is supposed to love. He married her without her knowledge or acceptance then got her pregnant. What woman in their right mind would be like okay when a man say "You wife" Grr, Give me sex now. She didn't even question it and let him have his way with her. She is supposed to be a strong woman but she is far from it. Then he takes her to his grandfathers home and basically says this is our home now, get used to it.
I give up. I have been skimming page after page. I'm done.
I give up. I have been skimming page after page. I'm done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2019
Ok book, I couldn't really get into it. I made myself finish it and it ended better than I thought. It just seemed to bog down a lot.
August 21, 2021
Texas is still a Mexican province and Lily owns a prime piece of farmland near Austin a developer would love to subdivide. Lily’s husband ends up dead with a fake Indian arrow in his chest.
Lily’s dilemma. She doesn’t own slaves and her white male cowboys will not take orders from a woman. The local Lothario is trying to woo her. When she goes to hire a foreman she ends up a laconic giant of a man who is half Spanish, half Indian and hires a free Negro to work for him. Lily is taller than most other men and not above donning pants to work in the field. To complicate matters her father shows up.
Lily would not be the first woman to run a ranch using a man, husband or not as her mouthpiece but the man she hired is no mouthpiece. Both these individuals are damaged goods but this is a romance so hold onto your hats--preferably Stetsons.
As it transpires Lily finds herself torn between three men: a land speculator, her son’s father, and her Spanish/Apache foreman whose little girl who probably isn’t his has become Lily’s daughter. Her father is a further complication.
The book takes place against the backdrop of the Texas Revolutionary War. It is more than simply a pretext for sexual encounters though there is a wedding night spent in a Tepee and talk of the size of Cade’s “equipment”. Like the Madonna a very pregnant Lily goes for a long ride, on a mule, this one 200 miles.
I still don’t like profanity.
This being a romance, expect a happy ending.
Lily’s dilemma. She doesn’t own slaves and her white male cowboys will not take orders from a woman. The local Lothario is trying to woo her. When she goes to hire a foreman she ends up a laconic giant of a man who is half Spanish, half Indian and hires a free Negro to work for him. Lily is taller than most other men and not above donning pants to work in the field. To complicate matters her father shows up.
Lily would not be the first woman to run a ranch using a man, husband or not as her mouthpiece but the man she hired is no mouthpiece. Both these individuals are damaged goods but this is a romance so hold onto your hats--preferably Stetsons.
As it transpires Lily finds herself torn between three men: a land speculator, her son’s father, and her Spanish/Apache foreman whose little girl who probably isn’t his has become Lily’s daughter. Her father is a further complication.
The book takes place against the backdrop of the Texas Revolutionary War. It is more than simply a pretext for sexual encounters though there is a wedding night spent in a Tepee and talk of the size of Cade’s “equipment”. Like the Madonna a very pregnant Lily goes for a long ride, on a mule, this one 200 miles.
I still don’t like profanity.
This being a romance, expect a happy ending.
December 27, 2018
I enjoyed the thought of a lady from a wealthy family never fitting in with her family.
The fact that she had become pregnant with someone's child and her family still speaking to her is a far stretch. In that time period, I doubt that would have been the case. Same with her hiring a Native American man to be her foreman. Despite these hiccups in plot, it was a very nice slow-burn romance that I enjoyed.
The fact that she had become pregnant with someone's child and her family still speaking to her is a far stretch. In that time period, I doubt that would have been the case. Same with her hiring a Native American man to be her foreman. Despite these hiccups in plot, it was a very nice slow-burn romance that I enjoyed.
August 8, 2014
I've read this book. I can't remember it but I know I've read it.
February 5, 2020
Patricia Rice has penned a captivating historical western romance in Texas Lily (Too Hard to Handle, Book 1). In this tale, we get to witness how hard life was in the old west, particularly, Texas during the time when it was fighting for independence from Mexico. To succeed and flourish one had to be strong.
Ms. Rice demonstrates a mastery in creating several interesting and multi-dimensional characters who face their weaknesses and grow. She also builds intrigue into her plot line on a couple of angles. The obvious angle her use of mystery revolving around the mixed heritage male protagonist, Cade’s heritage. Cade has faced resentment and prejudice because of who he is. Thus, he relies only on himself and his capabilities as he traverses between the worlds he knows—Apache, Mexican and Anglo. The female protagonist, Lily Porter Brown, is a woman of pedigree. She is strong and self-reliant, and her very presences and mannerism defies the stereotype of a petite Southern belle. Lily evolves from a disillusioned 16-year-old to a pioneer woman, mother and widow fighting to secure her son’s future. Ms. Rice’s secondary characters, Travis Bolton and Juanita, are also well designed. I appreciate the way Ms. Rice has these character transform themselves.
In addition to our protagonists, we have several antagonists. The primary one is Ricardo de Suela, who happens to be Cade’s cousin, on his mother’s side. Ricardo is a devious, evil, jealous and a mean and nasty bully. He finds minions to help him in his quest to destroy Cade in Bert Dixon, a land agent, and Ollie Clark, the mercantile proprietor with ambitions for political power.
I also appreciate the way Ms. Rice wove into her plot line multicultural elements such as class difference, racial prejudices and gender prejudices. Likewise, to make her plot credible and add color and action, Ms. Rice expertly wove in historical events. I commend Ms. Rice how her underlying theme of love conquers all is triumphant. In Texas Lily we witness love on several levels—romance, familial, friendship and loyalty. Therefore, it is with pleasure that I highly recommend this book to all fans of historically accurate old west romances.
Ms. Rice demonstrates a mastery in creating several interesting and multi-dimensional characters who face their weaknesses and grow. She also builds intrigue into her plot line on a couple of angles. The obvious angle her use of mystery revolving around the mixed heritage male protagonist, Cade’s heritage. Cade has faced resentment and prejudice because of who he is. Thus, he relies only on himself and his capabilities as he traverses between the worlds he knows—Apache, Mexican and Anglo. The female protagonist, Lily Porter Brown, is a woman of pedigree. She is strong and self-reliant, and her very presences and mannerism defies the stereotype of a petite Southern belle. Lily evolves from a disillusioned 16-year-old to a pioneer woman, mother and widow fighting to secure her son’s future. Ms. Rice’s secondary characters, Travis Bolton and Juanita, are also well designed. I appreciate the way Ms. Rice has these character transform themselves.
In addition to our protagonists, we have several antagonists. The primary one is Ricardo de Suela, who happens to be Cade’s cousin, on his mother’s side. Ricardo is a devious, evil, jealous and a mean and nasty bully. He finds minions to help him in his quest to destroy Cade in Bert Dixon, a land agent, and Ollie Clark, the mercantile proprietor with ambitions for political power.
I also appreciate the way Ms. Rice wove into her plot line multicultural elements such as class difference, racial prejudices and gender prejudices. Likewise, to make her plot credible and add color and action, Ms. Rice expertly wove in historical events. I commend Ms. Rice how her underlying theme of love conquers all is triumphant. In Texas Lily we witness love on several levels—romance, familial, friendship and loyalty. Therefore, it is with pleasure that I highly recommend this book to all fans of historically accurate old west romances.
December 2, 2018
A good western romance.
This was a longer western romance involving many interesting and well developed characters. I enjoyed the intrigue and political maneuvering during the turbulent war for Texas' independence from Mexico.
Although this was only the backdrop for this novel, it covered a couple of battles, or rumours of battles. I really enjoyed the realism of Lily and Cade's relationship with each other, the struggles they went though, and their personal growth. The multicultural elements seems a little too pat/forced to be real. I also enjoyed the quirky and independent side characters.
I would highly recommend this book to any western/early Texas history lovers who enjoy romances. Warning, there are explicit love scenes.
This was a longer western romance involving many interesting and well developed characters. I enjoyed the intrigue and political maneuvering during the turbulent war for Texas' independence from Mexico.
Although this was only the backdrop for this novel, it covered a couple of battles, or rumours of battles. I really enjoyed the realism of Lily and Cade's relationship with each other, the struggles they went though, and their personal growth. The multicultural elements seems a little too pat/forced to be real. I also enjoyed the quirky and independent side characters.
I would highly recommend this book to any western/early Texas history lovers who enjoy romances. Warning, there are explicit love scenes.
November 29, 2017
Nice Western about a widow woman who hires a half-breed Apache-Spaniard (even though the Apache didn't often make it to south central Texas -- mostly Comanche) to help with her ranch. He's kind and helpful and they get married, in the Apache way first, then at the alcalde's office in town. The Texas Revolution is ongoing during the story-- the hero goes off to fight at San Jacinto near the end of the book-- but except for that, doesn't play much of a part. The local Indian band is friendly because the hero's dad is a leader, but there are bad guys pretending to be Indians. The hero's grandpa plays a role. It's a good angsty story with lots and lots of plot in it. I liked it a lot.
December 9, 2018
Outstanding story with excellent twists and turns
This was such a outstanding book. You will find humor, adventure, betrayal, intrigue, romance and even a murder mystery. Cade is a half Indian Apache and Lilly is a strong and valiant lady enduring life on the prairies of Texas. After the disappearance of Lilly's husband, she is forced to hire a foreman to run the homestead. Cade is her answer to more than she expected. The twists and turns will keep you glued to the pages, and you will be pleasantly transported to the days of early settlers. Excellent plot and characters.
This was such a outstanding book. You will find humor, adventure, betrayal, intrigue, romance and even a murder mystery. Cade is a half Indian Apache and Lilly is a strong and valiant lady enduring life on the prairies of Texas. After the disappearance of Lilly's husband, she is forced to hire a foreman to run the homestead. Cade is her answer to more than she expected. The twists and turns will keep you glued to the pages, and you will be pleasantly transported to the days of early settlers. Excellent plot and characters.
January 26, 2018
Just read the second half
Sorry to say I wanted to like this book more than I did, it is simply too slow. The good news is if you can slog through the first half the second half is really good and interesting. The author spent far too long creating the back story and characters. I was also disappointed that such a long "saga" type story ended without an epilogue. I won't be reading the next book.
Sorry to say I wanted to like this book more than I did, it is simply too slow. The good news is if you can slog through the first half the second half is really good and interesting. The author spent far too long creating the back story and characters. I was also disappointed that such a long "saga" type story ended without an epilogue. I won't be reading the next book.
January 23, 2019
Texas Liu (Too Hard to Handle Book 1)
The love story of Lily and Cade. M my is the youngest daughter and his sister's are now getting marry.. She met a man who rock her world then leave her faith child. Lot ask.Him to marry her and now nine headmaster Jim is dead and the men of the ranch will.not follow her order because she is a woman. Now she must find a forman to run the ranch. Lily nicer Cafe. Will love follows? Great syory.
The love story of Lily and Cade. M my is the youngest daughter and his sister's are now getting marry.. She met a man who rock her world then leave her faith child. Lot ask.Him to marry her and now nine headmaster Jim is dead and the men of the ranch will.not follow her order because she is a woman. Now she must find a forman to run the ranch. Lily nicer Cafe. Will love follows? Great syory.
December 9, 2018
Finding love
This book is about a woman who has a hard life. She was married to a older man who was not very strong but he gave her the farm and very thing but love. But when she haird the new man who is part Indian and Mexican.The people of the town don't like him but in time she found love. I give this story a four star rating
This book is about a woman who has a hard life. She was married to a older man who was not very strong but he gave her the farm and very thing but love. But when she haird the new man who is part Indian and Mexican.The people of the town don't like him but in time she found love. I give this story a four star rating
December 16, 2018
So much more than a romance. It tells from a personal point of view how 'Texas' survived the few years before & after the Alamo. The H is half Indian & half Mexican. The h is American. Their love story explores how all of their heritages & the events of the time interacted. A bit longer than the average romance but the story moved along nicely. HEA.
January 26, 2026
A very good read
I enjoyed this book.
The author wove the storyline around history using romance. Yet the figures seemed so real and life like. You felt like you were living the story with them. That's a good writer.
I like how she treated racism and hatred for what it is and how it still is in many parts of the States today.
I enjoyed this book.
The author wove the storyline around history using romance. Yet the figures seemed so real and life like. You felt like you were living the story with them. That's a good writer.
I like how she treated racism and hatred for what it is and how it still is in many parts of the States today.
December 3, 2018
Feisty southern bell meets unlikely mate
I really enjoyed this book. It was very enjoyable, getting Lily and Cade to overcome their hurts to find their love. The story had something for everyone. I would recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. It was very enjoyable, getting Lily and Cade to overcome their hurts to find their love. The story had something for everyone. I would recommend this book.
May 4, 2019
Early days of Texas
A saga of Lily and her life. Some of her choices are not popular choices. It was interesting to read her story. She certainly defied the roll of women during the time period she lived in. I liked the book.
A saga of Lily and her life. Some of her choices are not popular choices. It was interesting to read her story. She certainly defied the roll of women during the time period she lived in. I liked the book.
August 3, 2019
Not as good
I like this author's historical novels set in Europe better than this one. I disliked how the heroine was ok with slavery. That was so off-putting to me. The hero was a very interesting character, along with his father and grandfather.
I like this author's historical novels set in Europe better than this one. I disliked how the heroine was ok with slavery. That was so off-putting to me. The hero was a very interesting character, along with his father and grandfather.
September 29, 2019
I'm drooling
Wow didn't want to put this down but I needed breaks! So intense, suspenseful, and so hot golly I can just image what Cade looked like. Love the background history, made the story so very real.
Wow didn't want to put this down but I needed breaks! So intense, suspenseful, and so hot golly I can just image what Cade looked like. Love the background history, made the story so very real.
April 4, 2023
An unexpected pleasure. This was my first book by this author. What I enjoyed most was that I couldn't predict where the story was going next. Yes it was a romance, so the basics were there but it was all about how you got there.
November 16, 2025
This should be a movie.
If you love how the west was won, you will love this book full of interesting characters and wild Texas to explore and conquer. The main characters are so charismatic you will not put it down.
If you love how the west was won, you will love this book full of interesting characters and wild Texas to explore and conquer. The main characters are so charismatic you will not put it down.
November 27, 2025
True Texas Spirit
Patricia Rice captures true Texas spirit in this fast paced novel. Even though this is fiction, it mirrors the real life way many Texans came to be in this land. Early settlers needed to be strong and resilient: Patricia’s characters exemplify this.
Patricia Rice captures true Texas spirit in this fast paced novel. Even though this is fiction, it mirrors the real life way many Texans came to be in this land. Early settlers needed to be strong and resilient: Patricia’s characters exemplify this.
November 29, 2025
i hate you cade and everything you do you’re a jerk mcjerkface and lily deserves the world. also lily wtf so much for miss independence and fights for myself. i was so confused but atleast i kinda cared for juanita and serena. roy you needed to be sent to school
May 5, 2018
Good Book
I really enjoyed this story as my 2nd great-grandparents left GA in 1835 and went to TX. I have heard things when I was younger but I am sure life wasn't easy at first.
I really enjoyed this story as my 2nd great-grandparents left GA in 1835 and went to TX. I have heard things when I was younger but I am sure life wasn't easy at first.
December 18, 2018
Wonderful
What a great book from the start to the end. I enjoyed the suspense that Patricia Rice kept in the story. I would like to read another book in this series.
What a great book from the start to the end. I enjoyed the suspense that Patricia Rice kept in the story. I would like to read another book in this series.
December 23, 2018
A Texas historical romance success.
So many cultures with divergent priorities all converge in Texas. This was a well done historical love story with sweet sexy times.
So many cultures with divergent priorities all converge in Texas. This was a well done historical love story with sweet sexy times.
December 24, 2018
Pleasingly surprised
I really enjoyed this. Really good character development and believable dialog. Only thing missing was epilogue. Will have to explore more from this author.
I really enjoyed this. Really good character development and believable dialog. Only thing missing was epilogue. Will have to explore more from this author.
books-boxed-sets
April 26, 2020Tin-Stars and Troublemakers Box Set (Four Complete Historical Western Romance Novels in One)
November 19, 2025
Best book I’ve read for ages
Loved it
Loved it
December 4, 2025
Good story
I really enjoyed the book. There is much action and several things happening throughout the story to keep it interesting.
I really enjoyed the book. There is much action and several things happening throughout the story to keep it interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews